Law

The politics of influence: recognizing influence dilution claims under s. 2 of the Voting Rights Act

Article Abstract:

Small groups of minority voters should be afforded protection under section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by allowing claims of improper apportionment for groups with the potential to influence elections. Currently, the law allows claims to be brought by politically cohesive groups in majority-minority districts that can demonstrate discriminatory effect in apportionment. The proposed test should look to the political cohesiveness, geographic compactness and the potential for crossover voting, swing voting or interracial coalitions to influence the outcome of elections.

Author: Pierre-Louis, Stanley

Publisher:University of Chicago Law SchoolPublication Name:University of Chicago Law ReviewSubject:LawISSN:0041-9494Year:1995

United States, Voting, Apportionment (Election law)

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Public exposure of the female breast: obscene and immoral or free and equal?

Article Abstract:

The New York State Court of Appeals has dismissed charges of indecent exposure against seven women who bared their breasts in public on the grounds that the issue is not covered by law. In dismissing the case, the court failed to address the constitutional questions involved in public exposure of the female breast. Those fighting for the right to expose their breasts in public maintain that banning them from doing so violates their right to equal protection and due process as guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment and their right to free speech under the First Amendment.